Since moving to Sea Cliff 23 years ago, Alison Camardella has become an indispensable member of the community. Through her dedicated service in a number of organizations and committees, she has made a lasting impact on the village. In recognition of her contributions, the Herald is proud to name Camardella its 2024 Person of the Year.
Camardella has served as president of the North Shore Coalition Against Substance Abuse, the Senior Action Committee, the Good of the Village Association and the steering committee for the 325 Prospect Avenue Sea Cliff Pump House property.
After working in the hedge fund industry for almost 20 years, Camardella retired when the second of her three sons was born and devoted her time to serving her community. Now 52, she says her volunteerism began in the village’s elementary school when her sons were there, because she thought it was important to serve both her community and her children.
“I did that for five years,” she said. “I did event planning and ran two auctions for the PCA (Parent Community Association). The elementary school is a great place to start doing service for your community, your school and your children.”
In 2017, Camardella was asked to be a part of the North Shore Coalition Against Substance Abuse, a nonprofit that works with the North Shore School District to educate children about substance abuse and offers special after-school events.
Former Mayor Bruce Kennedy, who created the coalition, recalled that it got off to a rough start, but Camardella’s leadership made it what it is today.
“In 2010, when I was mayor, I actually founded the coalition, and after it was founded, it lost steam and fizzled out,” Kennedy said, “but the school district then wanted to revive it a few years later. “They were also having trouble (getting) traction with the organization, and then they brought in Alison to be the president, and in her typical form, she put her heart, energy and all of her leadership into it, and now it has become a staple of the North Shore.”
Despite her involvement in numerous organizations, Camardella has managed to balance her commitments with her family life. She emphasizes that community service doesn’t have to be all-encompassing, and encourages others to contribute whatever time they can, because every effort makes a difference.
“I’ve always been careful not to over-commit myself to something at one time,” she said. “Now that I’ve stepped down as president,” she added, referring to her role in CASA, “I’ve been doing what I can to help out on other committees and boards that I serve on. My point is that service doesn’t have to be a full-time job. There’s a lot to contribute, even if you only have a free evening or an hour or two to give a week.”
Camardella served as president of the coalition for six years before stepping down in October. During that time, the organization grew, and saw a measurable reduction in youth substance abuse.
Jolie Silva, a current co-president, highlighted that decrease and credited Camardella’s leadership. “I’ve been a co-board member with her for three years now, and she has spearheaded many initiatives in line with CASA’s mission, which is to prevent youth substance use in our community,” Silva said. “The most recent results from a survey given to North Shore students grades seven through 12 showed a reduction in substance abuse over the years, which we like to think is attributed to CASA’s work, which Alison has been the leader of for a number of years.”
Camardella continues to serve on the coalition’s board. Sean Trager, the other co-president, said that Camardella makes the most of her leadership skills and her enthusiasm for the work the group does.
“She was more of a practitioner, not a politician,” Trager said. “She participated in every event that we planned. She came to every meeting and event as both a leader to the community and a parent. We have pickleball Fridays, and Alison comes every week to play, despite her kids being long past that age group. It has been a challenge to try and fill Alison’s shoes.”
In addition to the senior and pump house committees, Camardella also sits on the Youth Activities Board. Kevin McGilloway, a fellow Sea Cliff resident and a former vice president of CASA, noted how her attitude has helped her become a great leader of a number of organizations.
“Alison and I were asked to run an event at school, and only half a dozen parents showed up,” McGilloway recounted. “I was frustrated, questioning everything we were doing. Alison told me if you can help one person, that’s worth it, and that has been her mentality throughout everything she’s done for the past several years. I come from Wall Street and I’ve seen a lot of great leaders, and she’s right up there with them. I can’t think of enough adjectives to describe how great a leader she is.”
Sea Cliff Mayor Elena Villafane also praised Camardella’s leadership, explaining that she has the ability to take an idea, launch it and make it grow, and that the village is lucky to have someone like her.
“Although I have never worked directly with her, our paths have crossed numerous times, and she has the ability to take a seed and make it grow into a full-on oak tree,” Villafane said. “I think we’re incredibly fortunate to have someone like Alison, who is such a positive, go-getter kind of personality.”
Camardella’s unwavering dedication to making life in the village as good as it can be has made an indelible impact. Whether it be encouraging others with hands-on leadership, fighting for the well-being of youth or inspiring people with her selfless approach to service, she continues to exemplify what it means to give back.
